Protection of practice squad player may mean more Nick Bolton

Kansas City protects a linebacker and quarterback ahead of its game against the New York Giants.

The Kansas City Chiefs have opted to protect two practice squad players in advance of their Week 8 game against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. Quarterback Shane Buechele and linebacker Darius Harris are protected, blocking any other team from signing them before Monday.

Buechele was 37 of 55 for 422 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in the preseason, and it appears the Chiefs like him enough to make sure he is not plucked out of Kansas City.

The protection of Harris likely indicates that veteran linebacker Anthony Hitchens is not ready to return from his triceps injury, which was almost to be expected given Hitchens was seen at practice with his right arm in a sling last week. The Chiefs activated Harris ahead of the team’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

The domino effect here would be more rookie Nick Bolton as the starting MIKE linebacker against the Giants. Bolton was one of the lone bright spots for the Chiefs in their 27-3 loss to the Titans, as he led the Chiefs with 15 tackles (nine solo), including four tackles for loss. Bolton has a share of the league lead with nine tackles for loss on the season.

The Chiefs can protect up to four practice squad players per week.